Fingal was commissioned by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) in 1963 and was the last ship to be built by the Blythswood Shipbuilding Company in Glasgow. The name Fingal is believed to pay homage to the King of the Morven (Argyll) in ancient Caledonia during the 3rd century.

Fingal retired from NLB service in 2000 and, after a period in private ownership, the ship was acquired by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust in July 2014. The £5m conversion took years to complete with the Fingal Hotel opening in January 2019. Now an award-winning luxury floating hotel, this unique venue features a double-height Ballroom, a private dining space in the former command centre the Bridge, and The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar which serves Afternoon Tea and 2 AA Rosette dining under a shimmering ceiling.

There are 14 cabins on the main deck, including four duplex suites, with living and sleeping areas split over two levels. The funnel was removed, to allow two new decks to be built, and then replaced. The upper-level features eight further cabins and a Presidential Suite, Skerryvore, complete with a private deck - all cabins come with a sumptuous Hypnos bed. Franck Bruyère, Chief Executive, the Fingal Hotel said: “The luxury Fingal Hotel is permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront. A former Northern Lighthouse Board tender and now Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Luxury Hotel. Fingal Hotel’s interiors combine the style and glamour of a superyacht with an old-world elegance that’s truly unique.

Twenty-two luxurious cabins celebrate the curves and contours of the ship, with beautiful nautical details, Davy lamps casting a warm glow. Ranging from Classic Cabins through to Duplex Suites, split over two levels, to the top cabin, the Skerryvore Suite complete with lounge area, private deck and freestanding rolltop bath, each cabin welcomes guests for a wonderful night’s sleep, their sanctuary by the sea."

"We’ve been handcrafting luxury beds in Britain for 120 years using sustainably and responsibly sourced materials and recognise that getting a good night’s sleep is an essential part of the overall guest experience. We are certified by EcoVadis and Planet Mark, and carbon neutral since 2011, we make sure we do everything we can to deliver hoteliers sleep comfort with integrity, for the well-being of people and the planet.” David Baldry, Group Managing Director at Hypnos Limited.